By Our Correspondent

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the newly remodeled Abuja City Gate, describing the landmark as a reflection of Nigeria’s unity, diversity and renewed national pride.

President Tinubu who was represented by the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the commissioning was timed to coincide with two major milestones: the 3rd Anniversary of the current administration and the Golden Jubilee, the 50th Anniversary, of the Federal Capital Territory.

“I crave your indulgence to read his speech as follows,” the First Lady told dignitaries gathered at the City Gate.

“It gives me great pleasure to join you this evening for the commissioning of the remodeled Abuja City Gate,” the President’s speech read. “Today’s event is particularly significant as it forms part of two important national milestones.”

President Tinubu noted that the City Gate stands as “a symbol of our national identity and serves as the gateway to our nation’s capital.”

“Abuja is Nigeria’s diplomatic and administrative center where all 36 states meet,” he said. “Therefore, our city gate is one of the major first impressions of this city that welcomes visitors, reflects the character of our people, and communicates the pride our nation takes in its capital.”

A key feature of the remodel is a water fountain designed to represent the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According to the President, the design “tells every visitor and Nigerians arriving from the airport that they have entered a city built on unity, diversity, and shared aspirations.”

He added that the remodeled gate “can proudly stand side by side with notable gateways and public monuments in many cities around the world.”

The President commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for the upgrade and for ongoing work across Abuja.

“I commend the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Barrister Eze Nyesom Wike CON, for remodeling the monument and for your relentless dedication to transforming the general ambience of the Federal Capital Territory,” the speech stated.

President Tinubu also acknowledged other infrastructure work underway, including road construction and expansion, improved public spaces, and renewed attention to critical infrastructure.

“When you share a vision with a man of action, you see results. Minister Wike, you have proven once again to be a true driver of the Renewed Hope agenda. I say well done,” he said.

He said the efforts are contributing to “the transformation of Abuja into a capital city that every Nigerian can be truly proud of,” in line with the administration’s vision of “purposeful leadership, modern infrastructure, sustainable development, and an improved quality of life.”

As he officially commissioned the project “to the glory of God and for the benefit of all Nigerians and visitors to the capital city,” the President urged FCT residents to take ownership of the landmark.

“To the residents of Abuja, I say congratulations, and I encourage you all to protect and preserve this landmark. Public infrastructure belongs to all of us, and its maintenance is a shared responsibility,” he said.

“As we commission this city gate today, may we stand, may she stand, as an enduring symbol of renewal, progress, and national pride. May all who pass through her be reminded of the boundless potential of our nation and be inspired to contribute to its continued growth.”

The event drew government officials, traditional rulers and residents to the City Gate, one of Abuja’s most photographed entry points.

the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Mahmoud Hail Remodeled City Gate as Symbolv of “Renewed Hope” Transformation

Barr Nyesom Wike,praised the remodeling of the Abuja City Gate, describing it as a clear sign of ongoing renewal in the nation’s capital.

Speaking in the same vein, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her compassionate leadership, patriotic service and steadfast support for programmes that promote the wellbeing of citizens,” a statement from her office said.

She noted that the First Lady’s attendance “added dignity, significance and national value to the event.”

Dr. Mahmoud described the remodeled Abuja City Gate as “a powerful symbol of the Renewed Hope transformation taking place in the nation’s capital.”

She also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for what she called their “visionary leadership and commitment to restoring the prestige, beauty and functionality of Abuja.”

According to her, the iconic landmark “stands as a visible expression of a new era of infrastructural renewal, urban rebirth and national pride in the Federal Capital Territory.”

“Under the leadership of President Tinubu and the determined drive of the FCT Minister, Abuja is witnessing the rehabilitation, reconstruction and completion of critical projects aimed at restoring the city to its original master plan and repositioning it as a capital of global standard,” Dr. Mahmoud said.

The remarks followed the official commissioning of the remodeled City Gate, which the President said was timed to mark the 3rd Anniversary of his administration and the 50th Anniversary of the FCT.

By George Mgbeleke

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to fast-track the passage of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening the administration and oversight of public senior secondary education across the country.

The request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate and read during Thursday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Tinubu said the proposed legislation, approved by the Federal Executive Council on April 30, 2026, seeks to enhance the legal and operational framework of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to improve governance and service delivery in the education sector.

According to the President, the amendment forms part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen educational institutions and improve learning outcomes nationwide.

“The purpose of the bill is to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary education in Nigeria,” the letter stated.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to fast-track the passage of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening the administration and oversight of public senior secondary education across the country.

The request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate and read during Thursday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Tinubu said the proposed legislation, approved by the Federal Executive Council on April 30, 2026, seeks to enhance the legal and operational framework of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to improve governance and service delivery in the education sector.

According to the President, the amendment forms part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen educational institutions and improve learning outcomes nationwide.

“The purpose of the bill is to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary education in Nigeria,” the letter stated.

He urged lawmakers to give the bill expedited consideration, saying the proposal aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing education in the national interest.

Following the presentation, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for legislative processing.

He directed the committee to schedule the bill for further consideration and submit its report to the Senate within one week.

The National Senior Secondary Education Commission was established to coordinate the development of public senior secondary schools, promote quality assurance, support state governments through policy implementation and funding interventions, and improve standards across the education system.

If passed by the National Assembly and signed into law, the amendment is expected to strengthen the commission’s mandate and improve the management of senior secondary education in Nigeria.

by Stacey Ukaobasi

Have you ever wondered why many people are still hooked on the habit of alcohol addiction even when it is apparent that they are aware of the imminent danger associated with frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages?

The truth is that most people who drink know that alcohol can damage their liver and make their lives miserable. They know it can destroy marriages, drain finances, and lead people down paths they never intended to take.
But what many people don’t know is that alcohol can also damage the brain.

Recently, I came across a condition called Wernicke’s Encephalopathy, and the more I learned about it, the more I realized that many people may be witnessing its effects without even knowing what they’re looking at.

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy is a serious brain condition linked to long-term alcohol abuse. It happens when the body becomes severely deficient in Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. Over time, alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb and use this important vitamin, and the brain begins to pay the price.

What struck me most wasn’t the medical terminology. It was the real-life consequences.

The damage doesn’t always look dramatic.

Sometimes, it looks like someone who keeps forgetting important conversations.

Someone who makes plans but never follows through.

Someone who genuinely seems convinced that things happen differently from how everyone else remembers them.

Sometimes, it looks like confusion.

Poor judgment.

Bad decisions.

An inability to see what is obvious to everyone else.

And because these changes often happen gradually, family members may assume the person is simply careless, irresponsible, or unwilling to change.

What if there’s more to it than that?

Imagine watching someone slowly lose the ability to think clearly while still appearing relatively normal on the outside.

Imagine seeing their judgment deteriorate.

Watching them make choices that hurt themselves and the people they love.

Watching them trust the wrong people, neglect important responsibilities, or repeatedly create disappointment without seeming to understand the impact of their actions.

The effects don’t stop with the person drinking.

Children are affected.

Families are affected.

Relationships are affected.

Trust begins to wear thin when words and actions no longer match.

Loved ones become frustrated because they don’t know whether they are dealing with a choice, a habit, an addiction, or a mind that is no longer functioning the way it once did.

That is one of the saddest things about alcohol-related brain damage.

Many people recognize the damage when it affects the liver.

Few recognize it when it affects the mind.

A damaged liver can be seen in medical tests.

A damaged mind often reveals itself through broken promises, confusion, poor decisions, forgotten conversations, and relationships that slowly fall apart.

And if Wernicke’s Encephalopathy is left untreated, it can progress into an even more serious condition called Korsakoff Syndrome, where memory problems can become severe and sometimes permanent.

The more I learn about the effects of alcohol, the more convinced I become that its greatest damage is not always what it does to the body.

Sometimes, the greatest damage is what it does to a person’s ability to think, remember, reason, and be present for the people who need them most.

Our minds are precious gifts from God.

The ability to think clearly, keep our word, make sound decisions, and care for our families should never be taken for granted.

That is why understanding the hidden effects of alcohol matters.

Not because we want to judge people.

But because some of the most devastating consequences of alcohol are the ones we can not see until they have already taken hold.

*Stacey Ukaobasi is a Nigerian-American activist and founder of the Forum for Child Rights promotion (Nigeria).